A Fond Farewell: III Amici Ristorante Closes After Years of Serving the Community

III Amici Ristorante closed its doors on August 2 after 36 years of operation, celebrating the retirement of owner Giovanni Lavorato. Located on West Elizabeth Avenue in Linden, the restaurant first opened in 1990 as a family dream and became a staple in the Linden community and surrounding neighborhoods.

In a heartfelt letter posted on Facebook, Lavorato reflected on the restaurant's impact: "It grew into something else far greater than we could have ever imagined. Many of you first visited as children and later returned with children and grandchildren of your own. These relationships have been the true foundation of Amici's and the reason our journey has been so meaningful."

Lavorato was known for greeting guests at the door, sharing stories, singing to patrons in the dining room, and preparing family recipes in the kitchen. Members of the Linden City government, including Mayor Derek Armstead, acknowledged the restaurant's closure as leaving a void in the community. The city government noted in a social media post: "Amici's is closing its doors after 36 fruitful years. We thank Giovanni, his family and everyone who poured their hearts into this wonderful, elegant establishment that many have come to call home."

Mayor Armstead attended a retirement celebration on July 12, stating: "Happy retirement, Giovanni! You will be missed. Wishing you plenty of time to relax, enjoy life, and make wonderful new memories. You've earned it!"

Reflecting on his decades of service, Lavorato thanked his dedicated staff and the community for their loyalty and support. "Serving all of you has been one of the greatest privileges of our lives, and we will always cherish the love and support you have shown our family," Lavorato said. "From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for 36 incredible years!"

This article was produced with AI assistance and reviewed for accuracy against official sources.

Produced with AI assistance and reviewed against source records.